Where is lead-based paint found ?
The year of construction for a residence or commercial building is the first clue as to the likelihood that lead may be present in the paint. Buildings older than 1940 almost certainly contain lead paint, buildings built between 1960 and 1978 may contain lead paint, while buildings built after 1978 are less likely to have lead-based paint. Significant lead-based paint is still used in industry and by the military. For example, lead-based paint is sometimes used to paint roadways and parking lot lines. Lead chromate pigments in colors of yellow, orange or green (when mixed with a blue pigment) were also quite prevalent during the same period of use as lead oxide. Lead chromate paint is still used for safety paints, such as the paint on traffic lines or fire hydrants. Lead-based paint does not look significantly different from non-lead paint. Likewise, lead-contaminated dust or dirt cannot be differentiated from regular dust or dirt. Analytical testing is necessary to determine the prese
